NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz is finally back on the court, but the Spanish tennis superstar has revealed that his nearly five-month injury layoff tested more than just his body.
Ahead of his highly anticipated US Open title defense, Alcaraz opened up about the uncertainty and “intrusive thoughts” that haunted him as he recovered from a right wrist injury that forced him to miss some of tennis’ biggest events.
The 23-year-old, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam after his Australian Open triumph earlier this year, said not knowing exactly when he would be able to return was one of the toughest parts of his recovery.
“The first month was kind of difficult for me because I couldn’t do anything with my right arm. It was tough,” Alcaraz said, according to Reuters.
While he initially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, the mental challenge intensified once he began practicing again—but still had no clear timetable for his competitive return.
Alcaraz admitted he constantly wondered whether he would be ready for Cincinnati, the US Open, or whether he might miss the entire American hardcourt swing.
“For me, the intrusive thoughts were the most difficult things to deal with in this process,” he said.
A Comeback Straight Into a Grand Slam
Alcaraz’s road back has been anything but gradual.
The wrist injury sidelined him for much of the clay season and forced him to miss the French Open, Wimbledon and major tournaments during the North American hardcourt swing. Reports from The Guardian and the official US Open website also highlighted how the uncertainty surrounding his recovery became a major psychological hurdle, even as his physical condition improved.
Now, instead of easing back into competition through smaller tournaments, Alcaraz is returning directly to one of the most demanding events in tennis: a best-of-five-set Grand Slam.
The defending champion said he and his team carefully tested his readiness through long and intense practice sessions, monitoring how his wrist responded both during and after training. Alcaraz has expressed confidence that he is ready to compete, but acknowledged that returning at a major tournament after such a lengthy absence presents a serious challenge.
Serena Williams Partnership Offered an Early Test
Before beginning his singles campaign, Alcaraz made his competitive return in the US Open mixed doubles alongside tennis icon Serena Williams.
The star-studded partnership immediately generated enormous attention at Flushing Meadows. Their run ended in the quarterfinals, but the matches gave Alcaraz valuable competitive court time after months away from the sport. Associated Press noted that the mixed doubles event also put the spotlight on the excitement surrounding both Williams’ return and Alcaraz’s comeback from injury.
Still, the biggest question remains unanswered: How quickly can Alcaraz rediscover his championship form in singles?
A Tough Draw—and a Major Opportunity
Alcaraz, the tournament’s second seed, is scheduled to open his US Open campaign against Russia’s Roman Safiullin.
His potential path through the draw could include formidable opponents such as Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton before a possible semifinal showdown against Novak Djokovic or other top contenders, according to the Reuters report carried by Channel NewsAsia.
The tournament landscape has also changed with the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz’s biggest rival, who withdrew due to a persistent right knee injury. Alcaraz said the prospect of being away from his rival for several more months feels strange and wished Sinner a full recovery.
The Mental Battle Isn’t Over—But Alcaraz Is Ready
For one of the brightest stars in modern tennis, the comeback is about more than defending a trophy.
Alcaraz has already conquered some of the sport’s biggest stages, but his latest challenge comes with an unfamiliar obstacle: returning from a long injury absence with limited match practice and the pressure of defending his title.
His recovery has taught him to trust his body—and perhaps more importantly, to trust the people around him. The official US Open quoted Alcaraz as saying that overcoming his previous injury experiences has helped him understand the importance of trusting his team and not allowing fear to take control.
Now, the waiting is over.
Carlos Alcaraz is back at Flushing Meadows. But after months of uncertainty and a battle against the thoughts he couldn’t silence, one question will define his return: Can the defending champion turn a difficult comeback into another unforgettable US Open triumph?
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